The GQ Market Week Awards: The Best of What We Saw at the Trade Shows

Gallery24 Slides

Menswear's best labels descended upon New York City for the bi-annual event known as market week. Trade shows scattered across the city played host to the Spring-Summer 2015 collections from thousands of brands looking for a little press and a lot of orders from the biggest names in the retail game. There was a lot to choose from, but these were the best of the best

Yuketen is not only a purveyor of quality, made in the U.S.A. footwear, but a company that is constantly pushing the boundaries of men's footwear in terms of shape and color. Which is why it's somewhat surprising that their black lace-up shoe, a staple of any stylish man's wardrobe, is what stood out to us the most.

Han Kjobenhavn is one of the most exciting new brands out of Copenhagen (the brand name actually means "Copenhagen Man" in Danish), and this multi-colored rain jacket is a perfect example of why. It's a familiar style done up in a familiar colorway, but the geometric, oversized plaid pattern make it truly special.

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Best Leathergoods Brand We Want to See More From: Hayden

Hayden's substantial-but-sleek leather pieces are all handmade in upstate New York. Each of them is lined in primary yellow—a small but thoughtful touch that speaks to the company's eye for detail.

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Best Varsity Jacket For People Who Never Played Varsity Sports: Nanamica Navy Blue Twill/Leather Jacket

Nanamica is one of Japan's best when it comes to re-interpreting American classics. This varsity jacket features a twill body and leather shoulder detailing, as well as leather details on the pocket, elevating it above what has become an oversaturated market.

As much as we would love to wear jeans everyday, everyone needs a good pair of shorts during the summer. The Burkman Bros., nominated by us in 2010 as one of our "Best New Menswear Designers in America" do them better than about anyone else in men's fashion. These navy blue paisley joints are made from a super soft and light jersey material.

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Most Overly Technical T-shirt: Snow Peak Flame Retardant Tee

Snow Peak began over 50 years ago in Japan as a camping gear provider, and finally decided to branch out last year into the world of apparel. With all of that experience under its belt, it makes sense that they'd be the one brand we saw all week making flame retardant clothing. This T-shirt was made so you don't end up with a hole in your shirt while sitting around the campfire, but is also a solid option if you're like us and never leave your apartment.

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Sneakers We're Most Excited to See Again in September: Mark McNairy x Adidas Runners

Mark McNairy's ongoing collaboration with the German mega-brand has already produced some memorable moments in sneaker-dom. That streak looks to continue with Spring-Summer '15's offering that includes the above retro runners and some Adissage slides. The best part? Come September and NYFW, we'll get to see how McNasty's mad genius takes the kicks and styles them into what will inevitably be a clever, covetable, and just plain cool menswear kit.

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Best Social Media Campaign: Baldwin's "REPYOURHOOD" T-shirits

Baldwin, one of our 2013 "Best New Menswear Designers In America," is most known for their superb denim. But they've only been as successful as they have because of the way they've connected with their local Kansas City community (you may have seen their "KC" baseball hats around your hometown). Now they want you to put on for your city with their new "REPYOURHOOD" collection of tees and sweatshirts. You not only get the tee, but a Sharpee so you can let the world know where you come from. Once you do, Baldwin wants you to snap a picture of your custom design and tag it "#REPYOURHOOD".

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Best Bathing Suit: Mr. Nieves

We told you pattern was where it's at when it comes to your swimwear choices. And no one across the shows offered more impactful print-per-inch than the new label Mr. Nieves. The full menswear line puts prints on patterns, amps the whole thing up in bright, saturdated colors, and cuts the stuff in trim fits that make the whole lineup feel fresh and modern.

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Best Re-Interpretation Of A Classic: Monochramatic Suede 6 Inch Boots

The Timberland 6 inch boot is one of the most iconic boots of all time. Now the label is doing it up in two awesome, monochramatic colorways, cream and navy blue. They'll pair with anything this fall and winter, and best of all, won't look like you're wearing your dad's work boots.

Rascals is another brand out of Copenhagen making waves for its athletic-inspired apparel. But where Han Kjobenhavn looks to the future for inspiration, Rascals turns back the clock to the 1990s. It's safe to say we probably all owned a jacket like this at one point, and we for one are glad to see it making a comeback.

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Accessory Brand That's Going to Make Office Life More Exciting: Jacqueline Rousseau

We know, the tie is dead. Long live the air tie. But not every guy can get away with going tie-less on the Monday to Friday grind. That's where Jacqueline Rousseau can come in. Her slim ties (and accompanying pocket squares) come in bold geometric and ikat patterns that are guaranteed to elevate any standard office dress shirt.

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**Best Bucket Hat: Nanamica Leaf Print Nylon Hat **

Nanamica is also making this stellar bucket hat for Spring-Summer 2015. The style, popularized by Gilligan, is having a major fashion moment these days and it seems as if the trend will continue into the new year. We can't always reccomend them for city wear, but on vacation? Knock yourself out.

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**Best Active Wear/Casual Wear Hybrid: Theory Track Jacket **

Theory is one of the most popular brands amongst young men these days for a reason. Their clothes are well-designed, well-made, stylish and not wildly overpriced. This track jacket blurs the line between something you'd wear to the gym and something you'd wear out. Maybe it can do both?

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Best All-Purpose Slip-Ons: Diemme

We say all-purpose because look at these navy suede beauties. They'd look as good anchored under a rolled selvedge cuff as they would a navy tudo pant. In short, you could wear these to a bachelor party and then the wedding the day after. Slip-ons are making the rounds in fashion right now and Diemme blends the best construction with a silhouette that's neither too athletic or too precious.

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Best New Entry into The Man Jewelry Game: LHN

ID bracelets are part of the new, acceptable crop of man jewelry that's popping up everywhere, offered up by the big name brands on the runways and small artisan labels. LHN falls into the latter category and their roughed-up brass ID bracelets will help you seize your day in style, whether or not it's actually telling you to.

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Best Mad Men Country Club Blazer: Woolrich Woolen Mills Plaid 3 Button Jacket

Mark McNairy took over for Daiki Suzuki at Woolrich Woolen Mills in 2011, and has steadily transformed the label from a workwear-leaning array into a more preppy-centric offering. The perfect example of McNairy's vision for WWM is this plaid blazer, with obvious prep roots and a durable, Woolrich-approved construction.

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Best All-Purpose Duffle Bag: Filson Vinyl Medium Weekender

If you're the type of guy who doesn't like to be delicate with his duffle bag, Filson's new collection of vinyl weekenders and backpacks are perfect for you. They're 100% waterproof, look badass in their murdered-out colorway, and best of all, aren't that expensive. The medium sized bag (shown here) will only run you about $140.

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**Best Moto Jacket: John Elliott + Co. **

Sure, John Elliott has mastered the art of making a t-shirt, well, not a t-shirt. Same goes for hoodies, sweatpants, and really any other so-called "basic" that he's made anything but basic. For Spring-Summer '15, he's bringing out an outerwear big gun, the leather moto jacket you see here that's cut sharper than just about any other out there (including some big name European brands). Naturally, it looks aces with one of Elliott's long tees layered underneath, but really this jacket will look good with anything you own right now...or over the next two decades.

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**Best Non-Clothing Accessory: Caputo & Co. Camera Strap **

Caputo & Co.'s beautifully-crafted bags and belts are what you'll find at stores like Barneys, but this hand woven camera strap is something you won't find from any other brand. Who says a photographer can't be as well-dressed at their subjects?

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Best Unexpected Hi-Lo Brow Mix: Etudes Motocross-Inspired Art Tees

Upstart Parisian label Etudes is a brand that isn't afraid to take risks. While most of their offerings are relatively simple and chic, every once in a while they go all out on a garment that they know will not be for the faint of heart. These nylon t-shirts, inspired by motocross uniforms, depict the names of different art movements such as Fauvism, Concept and New Realism.

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Best New Eyewear that's Going to Look as Good on Your Face as it Does in Your Suit Jacket Pocket: Eye Respect

Eye Respect serves up sunglasses and optical frames to fit any face, but with finishes and colors that target the menswear set. A throwback '80s aviator? They've got that. Same goes for some Capote-esque circles frames. It's eyewear that elevates an outfit, but doesn't look like everyone else's, whether these are sitting on your nose or folded over your pocket square.

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Best Vintage-Inspired T-shirts: Remi Relief

We were truly blown away by Remi Relief's beach-inspired graphic t-shirts. Each graphic was fun without being too aggressive, and the tees themselves had a soft vintage feel. While the label hails from Japan, we're sure it will be big in the states very, very soon.

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Brand Rewriting the Menswear Rules: Our Legacy

While we saw so many great collections this week from a diverse and talented group of designers, Our Legacy's Spring-Summer 2015 offering truly stood out. The Swedish-based brand, celebrating its 10 year anniversary, has solidified its place as one of the most forward-thinking menswear brands with their eclectic minimalist SS'15 offering. Overdyed, oversized parkas evoked beach vibes without being too literal. Suits were done up in unique fabrics like pindot seersucker and textured terry cloth. Graphics on T-shirts were tastefully drawn or ecuted in a cool way (like some that appeard to be watercolors). It's a collecthion that acheived the right balance between fashion-forward and familiar, pushing the envelope without ever coming close to tearing it.

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